A quality mattress is essential to getting a good night’s sleep, but choosing a mattress involves more than picking a reputable name brand. Every sleeper is unique, and the perfect mattress for one person may not be the right choice at all for another. While many factors go into a person’s sleeping style, a good starting place is sleep position. Most people tend to sleep primarily in one of three positions: on their back, on their side, or on their stomach.
The Best Type of Mattress for Back Sleepers
Although back sleeping isn’t the most common sleep style, it is very good for the body. People who sleep on their backs tend to have less trouble with nighttime acid reflux, lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Also, because back sleeping distributes body weight evenly, back sleepers don’t have to worry about pressure points. However, a mattress that doesn’t provide even support can cause a lot of discomfort.
Back sleepers should look for a medium-firm mattress that will conform to their body shape while still providing full-body support. In terms of mattress type, most back sleepers get the best sleep on a mattress with a top layer of memory foam because foam provides the perfect blend of comfort and support. Hot sleepers, who may avoid memory foam because it retains body heat, should look for mattresses with a cooling top layer.
The Best Type of Mattress for Side Sleepers
Side sleeping is the most popular sleep style, and side sleepers feel very comfortable with their knees bent and their back curved. However, side sleepers often experience pain from pressure points, like the knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. In addition, their body shape may create a permanent dent in the mattress, making it hard to find any other comfortable position.
Side sleepers should choose a soft mattress that will yield to the natural curve of their body. A latex foam mattress is a good choice because it retains its flat shape better than other types of mattresses, so sleepers are less likely to leave an indentation. Latex is also a cool material that allows for air circulation.
The Best Type of Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping is not a very common sleep position, but for some people, it provides relief from some types of pain. Unfortunately, people who sleep on their stomachs are at risk of developing back and neck pain because the position forces the back to arch slightly, creating tension in the lumbar region. The wrong mattress can really exacerbate this problem.
Stomach sleepers need a very firm mattress that will provide optimal support for their lower back. A memory foam or gel mattress with a thin top comfort layer can make the mattress feel reasonably soft without decreasing the overall firmness. Stomach sleepers may also want to consider using a pillow to minimize pressure on the hips and lower back.
Mattress buyers can narrow down their selection by choosing a mattress according to their preferred sleep position, but there are many other factors to take into consideration. The best mattress stores can help customers find the perfect mattress for their needs. Learn about one bed-matching system at https://www.bobmillsfurniture.com/sanantonio.inc.
